JACKSONVILLE — Twenty-four members of the Russellville Trap Team recently traveled to the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) Shooting Complex to participate in the Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports regional trap shooting tournament.

Fourteen students competed in the junior division and shot a combined score of 189, while 10 students competed in the senior division, shooting a combined score of 398.

Russellville trap shooting coach Matt Hughes was proud of the showing his team made at the regional tournament — despite competition conditions being far different than what the students were used to at practice.

Hughes said local high school sophomore Andrew Thomas shot a perfect 25-of-25 at the meet.

“I believe that was his first perfect score,” Hughes said. “And it’s not easy to do. It’s shooting a moving target, about four inches in diameter from a distance of 20 yards or more. It’s not easy at all. I can’t do it. Not 25-of-25. Not only the difficulty of the shot, but the pressure of knowing you haven’t missed one yet.”

The trap shooting team, which strives to bring the joy of the outdoors, along with the rewards of safely learning to shoot to the youth of Arkansas, is coached by volunteers Garr Gee, Hughes and Dwayne Rambo.

The club is sponsored by the AGFC, Arkansas Youth Shooting Sports and is available for students ages sixth-grade through 12th-grade.

Those interested in joining the team should contact Hughes at 479-880-6666.